The Humanist Hour #66: Steve Wozniak and American teenage atheists

A new episode of the Humanist Hour is available for listening. Keep reading to find out about the guests on this month’s show.

In this month’s podcast, Todd Stiefel interviews Apple’s Co-Founder, author, and the 2011 recipient of the American Humanist Association’s Isaac Asimov Science award, Steve Wozniak about the importance of skepticism in today’s youth. Also, hear about the experience of two American teenagers who are out as atheists.

Segment 1: American teenage atheists

What happens when a secular student high school group volunteers to recite the pledge of allegiance before the morning announcements? Marshall Lynn, of Carrboro High School knows! Marshall is a member of the Carrboro High School Student Alliance of Rational Thinkers (START) which is part of the Secular Student Alliance.

Also, listen to the perspective of an atheist college student. Julie Mankowski shares her experience of growing up as an atheist and how that has affected her throughout her life. Attention Washington DC area freethinkers: help Julie reach her goal of starting an atheist student group at her school, George Washington University!

If you are a secular student who is looking to either join or start a student group at your school, contact the Secular Student Alliance.

Segment 2: Steve Wozniak aka “The Woz”

A Silicon Valley icon and philanthropist for more than thirty years, Steve Wozniak has helped shape the computing industry with his design of Apple’s first line of products the Apple I and II and influenced the popular Macintosh. In 1976, Wozniak and Steve Jobs founded Apple Computer Inc. with Wozniak’s Apple I personal computer. The following year, he introduced his Apple II personal computer, featuring a central processing unit, a keyboard, color graphics, and a floppy disk drive. The Apple II was integral in launching the personal computer industry.

In 1981, he went back to UC Berkeley and finished his degree in electrical engineering/computer science. For his achievements at Apple Computer, Wozniak was awarded the National Medal of Technology by the President of the United States in 1985, the highest honor bestowed on America’s leading innovators.

Through the years, Wozniak has been involved in various business and philanthropic ventures, focusing primarily on computer capabilities in schools and stressing hands-on learning and encouraging creativity for students. Making significant investments of both his time and resources in education, he adopted the Los Gatos School District, providing students and teachers with hands-on teaching and donations of state-of-the-art technology equipment. He founded the Electronic Frontier Foundation, and was the founding sponsor of the Tech Museum, Silicon Valley Ballet and Children’s Discovery Museum of San Jose.

Wozniak currently serves as Chief Scientist for Fusion-IO and is a published author with the release of his New York Times best selling autobiography, iWoz: From Computer Geek to Cult Icon, in September 2006 by Norton Publishing. His television appearances include reality shows Kathy Griffin: My Life on the D-List, ABC’s Dancing with the Stars and The Big Bang Theory.